"Hoof and hope" hmmmm maybe - what he will bring which has been sadly lacking in EVERY Qatar team that I have seen put out over the last 3 years is some steel and some aggression. In all the WC qualifiers I saw against Australia a couple of years ago Australia muscled Qatar out of the games purely and simply because they were tougher, more competitive, more combatant and yes of course more "worldy wise". Again in the Asian Cup, Qatar had no discernable backbone. Now Sam will be good for a couple of years - through until the next WC I expect - he will be extended if he gets them qualified or until the Premiership comes calling. What he will try and instill in these 3rd rate players (yes Soria, Im looking at you!!) though is some backbone and a will to win - however, we have a saying in UK about silk purses and before Qatar starts to think in terms of making a big noise ON the field there needs to be wholesale change in the playing staff.... and therein lies Alardyce's biggest problem!!
"Hoof and hope" hmmmm maybe - what he will bring which has been sadly lacking in EVERY Qatar team that I have seen put out over the last 3 years is some steel and some aggression. In all the WC qualifiers I saw against Australia a couple of years ago Australia muscled Qatar out of the games purely and simply because they were tougher, more competitive, more combatant and yes of course more "worldy wise". Again in the Asian Cup, Qatar had no discernable backbone. Now Sam will be good for a couple of years - through until the next WC I expect - he will be extended if he gets them qualified or until the Premiership comes calling. What he will try and instill in these 3rd rate players (yes Soria, Im looking at you!!) though is some backbone and a will to win - however, we have a saying in UK about silk purses and before Qatar starts to think in terms of making a big noise ON the field there needs to be wholesale change in the playing staff.... and therein lies Alardyce's biggest problem!!